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Abstract:

When a material shape model is separated in shear through processing, a
shape model of a material in a state of being suspended remains in
mid-air, and thus, interference is detected excessively. In order to
prevent the excessive detection of interference, in a processing
simulation method for generating a shape model of a processed material
from a shape model of a material and a shape model of a tool processing
area which is defined from a shape model of the tool and a movement path
of the tool, the shape model of the material being separated into a
plurality of shapes by processing is detected; a material shape to be
cut-off is extracted from the separated material shapes; and the
extracted material shape to be cut-off is excluded from subject of
simulation.

Claims:

1. A processing simulation method for generating a shape model of a
processed material from a shape model of a material and a shape model of
a tool processing area which is defined from a shape model of the tool
and a movement path of the tool, the processing simulation method
comprising: detecting that the shape model of the material is separated
into a plurality of shapes by processing; extracting a material shape to
be cut-off from the separated material shapes; and excluding the
extracted material shape to be cut-off from subject of simulation wherein
shape separation is determined in one of the following cases: when there
are two or more material transferred tool processing area groups in which
surfaces constituting the tool processing area shape that is transferred
to the material shape are grouped together in a geometrically or
topologically continuous unit, and a processed material area group in
which surfaces constituting the material shape that is removed by
processing are grouped together in a geometrically or topologically
continuous unit and which is connected to two or more of the material
transferred tool processing area groups, when a number of material shape
groups, which is a group of surfaces that constitute the material shape
model and are geometrically or topologically continuous, increases, or
when the material shape is separated in a same direction as a direction
of a turning axis.

2-23. (canceled)

24. The processing simulation method according to claim 1, wherein shape
separation is not determined in a case where the material shape is
separated in a direction other than the direction of the turning axis.

25. The processing simulation method according to claim 1, wherein the
material shape to be cut-off is extracted based on holding information of
the material at the time of being separated.

26. The processing simulation method according to claim 1, wherein the
material shape to be cut-off is extracted based on holding information of
the material which is set as a side to be cut-off in advance.

27. A processing simulation method for generating a shape model of a
processed material from a shape model of a material and a shape model of
a tool processing area which is defined from a shape model of the tool
and a movement path of the tool, the processing simulation method
comprising: detecting that the shape model of the material is separated
into a plurality of shapes by processing; displaying a shape model of the
separated material on a display so as to cause a user to select a
material shape to be remained as the subject of simulation or the
material shape to be cut-off; extracting the material shape to be cut-off
based on a signal selected by the user; and excluding the extracted
material shape to be cut-off from subject of simulation.

28. A processing simulation method for generating a shape model of a
processed material from a shape model of a material and a shape model of
a tool processing area which is defined from a shape model of the tool
and a movement path of the tool, the processing simulation method
comprising: detecting that the shape model of the material is separated
into a plurality of shapes by processing; extracting a material shape to
be cut-off from the separated material shapes; and excluding the
extracted material shape to be cut-off from subject of simulation at the
time of proper processing, wherein the extracted material shape to be
cut-off is not excluded from the subject of simulation at the time of
improper processing.

29. A processing simulation method for generating a shape model of a
processed material from a shape model of a material and a shape model of
a tool processing area which is defined from a shape model of the tool
and a movement path of the tool, the processing simulation method
comprising: detecting that the shape model of the material is separated
into a plurality of shapes by processing; extracting a material shape to
be cut-off from the separated material shapes; and excluding the
extracted material shape to be cut-off from subject of simulation wherein
the extracted material shape to be cut-off is stored and the stored
material shape to be cut-off is displayed on a display.

30. A recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to
execute the method according to claim 1.

31. A processing simulation device for generating a shape model of a
processed material from a shape model of a material and a shape model of
a tool processing area which is defined from a shape model of the tool
and a movement path of the tool, the processing simulation device
comprising: a means for detecting that the shape model of the material is
separated into a plurality of shapes by processing; a means for
extracting a material shape to be cut-off from the separated material
shapes; and a means for excluding the extracted material shape to be
cut-off from subject of simulation, wherein the means for detecting that
the shape model of the material is separated into a plurality of shapes
by processing determines shape separation in one of the following cases:
when there are two or more material transferred tool processing area
groups in which surfaces constituting the tool processing area shape that
is transferred to the material shape are grouped together in a
geometrically or topologically continuous unit, and a processed material
area group in which surfaces constituting the material shape that is
removed by processing are grouped together in a geometrically or
topologically continuous unit and which is connected to two or more of
the material transferred tool processing area groups, when a number of
material shape groups, which is a group of surfaces that constitute the
material shape model and are geometrically or topologically continuous,
increases, or when the material shape is separated in a same direction as
a direction of a turning axis.

32. The processing simulation device according to claim 31, wherein the
means for detecting that the shape model of the material is separated
into a plurality of shapes by processing does not determine shape
separation in a case where the material shape is separated in a direction
other than a direction of a turning axis.

33. The processing simulation device according to claim 31, wherein the
means for extracting a material shape to be cut-off from the separated
material shapes extracts a material shape to be cut-off based on holding
information of the material at the time of being separated.

34. The processing simulation device according to claim 31, wherein the
means for extracting a material shape to be cut-off from the separated
material shapes extracts the material shape to be cut-off based on
holding information of the material which is set as a side to be cut-off
in advance.

35. A processing simulation device for generating a shape model of a
processed material from a shape model of a material and a shape model of
a tool processing area which is defined from a shape model of the tool
and a movement path of the tool, the processing simulation device
comprising: a means for detecting that the shape model of the material is
separated into a plurality of shapes by processing; a means for
extracting a material shape to be cut-off from the separated material
shapes; and a means for excluding the extracted material shape to be
cut-off from subject of simulation, wherein the means for extracting a
material shape to be cut-off from the separated material shapes extracts
the material shape to be cut-off based on a signal relating to a material
shape to be remained as the subject of simulation or a material shape to
be cut-off that is selected by a user from the shape model of the
separated material that is displayed on a display.

36. A processing simulation device for generating a shape model of a
processed material from a shape model of a material and a shape model of
a tool processing area which is defined from a shape model of the tool
and a movement path of the tool, the processing simulation device
comprising: a means for detecting that the shape model of the material is
separated into a plurality of shapes by processing; a means for
extracting a material shape to be cut-off from the separated material
shapes; and a means for excluding the extracted material shape to be
cut-off from subject of simulation, wherein the means for excluding the
extracted material shape to be cut-off from the subject of simulation
does not exclude the extracted material shape to be cut-off from the
subject of simulation at the time of improper processing.

37. A processing simulation device for generating a shape model of a
processed material from a shape model of a material and a shape model of
a tool processing area which is defined from a shape model of the tool
and a movement path of the tool, the processing simulation device
comprising: a means for detecting that the shape model of the material is
separated into a plurality of shapes by processing; a means for
extracting a material shape to be cut-off from the separated material
shapes; a means for excluding the extracted material shape to be cut-off
from subject of simulation; and a means for storing the extracted
material shape to be cut-off in a cut-off shape model storage unit and
displaying the stored material shape to be cut-off on a display.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing simulation method for
generating a shape model of a processed material from a shape model of a
material and a shape model of a tool processing area which is defined
from a shape model of the tool and a movement path of the tool, a device
for carrying out the processing simulation method and a program for
causing a computer to execute the processing simulation method. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a processing simulation
method in a case where a shape model of a material is separated by
processing, a device for carrying out the processing simulation method
and a program for causing a computer to execute the processing simulation
method.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, as a processing simulation device for
generating/displaying a shape model of a processed material based on
information of a material shape model, a tool shape model and a tool
movement path, a device is known which generates and displays the shape
model of the processed material by generating a shape model of a tool
processing area which is an area that can be processed when the tool
moves along the tool movement path and removing the shape model of the
generated tool processing area from the material shape model in
accordance with a removal operation. Further, a device is also known
which detects interference between the shape model of the generated tool
processing area and the material shape model, in a case where the tool
movement path is provided not for processing but for rapidly moving (see,
Patent Document 1).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

[0003] Patent Document 1: JP-A-2001-356804

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems that the Invention is to Solve

[0004] In the conventional processing simulation device as mentioned
above, a shape model of a material is separated into a plurality of
shapes and all of the separated plurality of shapes is considered as a
subject of interference detection when a tool movement path shears
through a material illustrated in FIG. 15. In this case, since a shape
model of a material that is not present in actual processing remains in a
state of being suspended in mid-air after the material is subjected to
the shear-through processing, it was difficult to obtain correct
interference detection result. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16,
there is a problem of obtaining a processing simulation result in which a
shank part of the tool interferes with a shape model of a material in a
state of being suspended in mid-air that is not present in actual
processing when the material is processed by moving a tool in a direction
perpendicular to the cutting-through direction of the material after
processing illustrated in FIG. 15. This is because a shape model of a
material which should originally be cut-off is not appropriately
recognized in a processing simulation device.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described
problems and an object of the present invention is to provide a
processing simulation method which is capable of correctly detecting
interference between a tool processing area and the shape model of a
material by recognizing a shape model of a material to be cut-off.
Further, the present invention provides a device for carrying out the
processing simulation method and a program for causing a computer to
execute the processing simulation method.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In order to accomplish the above-described object, the present
invention provides a processing simulation method for generating a shape
model of a processed material from a shape model of a material and a
shape model of a tool processing area which is defined from a shape model
of the tool and a movement path of the tool, the processing simulation
method including: detecting that the shape model of the material is
separated into a plurality of shapes by processing; extracting a material
shape to be cut-off from the separated material shapes; and excluding the
extracted material shape to be cut-off from subject of simulation.

[0007] Further, the present invention provides a processing simulation
device for generating a shape model of a processed material from a shape
model of a material and a shape model of a tool processing area which is
defined from a shape model of the tool and a movement path of the tool,
the processing simulation device including: a means for detecting that
the shape model of the material is separated into a plurality of shapes
by processing; a means for extracting a material shape to be cut-off from
the separated material shapes; and a means for excluding the extracted
material shape to be cut-off from subject of simulation.

Advantage of the invention

[0008] According to the present invention, there is an advantage that the
shape model of processed material is formed in a correct shape and it is
possible to properly detect interference between the tool processing area
and the shape model of the material by excluding a shape model of a
material to be cut-off from simulation subject when the shape model of a
material is separated into a plurality of shapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a configuration view of a processing simulation device
according to an embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an operation of a processed
material generation unit of the processing simulation device according to
the embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an operation of a shape separation
detection unit of the processing simulation device according to the
embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the processing
simulation device according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a material shape model prior to
processing in the processing simulation device according to the
embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an operation of a processed
material generation unit of the processing simulation device according to
the embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a shape
separation detection unit of the processing simulation device according
to the embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a view for explaining an operation of a tool interference
detection unit of the processing simulation device according to the
embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an operation of a cut-off shape
extraction/removal unit of the processing simulation device according to
the embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 10 is a configuration view of a processing simulation device
according to an embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a view for explaining an operation of the processing
simulation device according to the embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a view for explaining an operation of a processing
simulation device according to the embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 13 is a view for explaining an operation of a processing
simulation device according to the embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an operation of a processing
simulation device according to the embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a view for explaining an operation of a conventional
processing simulation device.

[0024]FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a problem of a conventional
processing simulation device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1

[0025] Hereinafter, the embodiment 1 of the present invention will be
described by referring to FIGS. 1 to 9.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a processing simulation
device according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0028] A simulation execution unit 2 analyzes an NC program stored in an
NC program storage unit 10 and stores tool movement path data obtained
from the NC program in a tool movement path storage unit 11. Further, the
simulation execution unit 2 stores material holding information (mounting
of a workpiece on a first main spindle side and mounting of a workpiece
on a second main spindle side) obtained from the NC program in a material
holding information storage unit 12 and commands execution of processes
of respective units, such as a tool model generation unit 3, a processed
material generation unit 4, a tool interference detection unit 5, a
cut-off shape extraction/removal unit 6 and a processed material/alarm
display unit 7.

[0030] The processed material generation unit 4 generates a tool
processing area shape model from the tool movement path data stored in
the tool movement path storage unit 11 and the tool shape model stored in
the tool shape model storage unit 14 in accordance with an execution
command from the simulation execution unit 2, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
Further, the processed material generation unit 4 generates a material
shape model after being processed by removing the generated tool
processing area shape model from the material shape model stored in the
material shape model storage unit 9 in accordance with a removal
operation and stores the generated material shape model after being
processed in the material shape model storage unit 9.

[0031] A shape separation detection unit 16 (corresponding to a means for
detecting that a material shape model is separated into a plurality of
shapes by processing) stores separation information (separation detection
flag, etc) in a shape separation information storage unit 17 when a
condition for determining that the material shape model is separated is
met during the removal operation.

[0032] Hereinafter, a separation determining condition will be described
by referring to FIG. 3.

[0033] First, surfaces constituting the tool processing area shape that is
transferred to the material shape model, which are grouped together in a
geometrically or topologically continuous unit, are referred to as an FA
group (a material transferred tool processing area group). Further,
surfaces constituting the material shape that is removed from the
material shape model by processing, which are grouped together in a
geometrically or topologically continuous unit, are referred to as an FR
group (a processed material area group).

[0034] The separation determining condition refers to a condition in which
`two or more FA groups are present and an FR group that is connected to
the two or more FA groups is present`.

[0035] In FIG. 3(a), since two or more FA groups including a group of
surface FA1 and surface FA2 and a group of surface FA3 and surface FA4
which are transferred from the tool processing area shape are present and
a group of surfaces FR1 to FR4 of removed material shape is connected to
two or more FA groups, separation is determined Further, since the
separation determining condition mentioned above is met also in cases of
FIG. 3(b) and FIG.(c), separation is determined, similarly.

[0036] Meanwhile, in FIG. 3(d), since only one FA group is present,
separation is not determined. Further, in FIG. 3(e), since two or more FR
groups that are connected to two or more FA groups not present,
separation is not determined

[0037] The shape separation detection unit 16 included in the processed
material generation unit 4 is only configured to determine separation of
the material shape model. The material shape model itself is stored in
the material shape model storage unit 9, together with a part of material
shape separated by the processed material generation unit 4 as mentioned
above.

[0038] The tool interference detection unit 5 generates a tool processing
area shape model from the tool movement path data stored in the tool
movement path storage unit 11 and the tool shape model stored in the tool
shape model storage unit 14 in accordance with an execution command from
the simulation execution unit 2 and detects interference between the
generated tool processing area shape model and the material shape model
stored in the material shape model storage unit 9. The tool interference
detection unit 5 stores interference information (block information in
the NC program with respect to the tool movement path at the time of
interference) in an interference information storage unit 15 when the
interference is detected.

[0039] The cut-off shape extraction/removal unit 6 (corresponding to a
means which extracts a material to be cut-off from the separated
material, means which excludes the extracted material to be cut-off from
the subject of simulation and means which does not exclude the extracted
the material to be cut-off from the subject of simulation at the time of
improper processing) does not execute a cut-off shape extraction/removal
processing when interference information is present in the interference
information storage unit 15 and does not execute cut-off processing at
the time of improper processing to prevent mistake in program. Further,
the cut-off shape extraction/removal unit 6 extracts the separated
material shape model as a cut-off shape, which is located at a opposite
side to a mounting side of a material set in material holding information
of the material holding information storage unit 12, among the material
shape model stored in the material shape model storage unit 9, when
interference information is not present in the interference information
storage unit 15 and separation information is present in the shape
separation information storage unit 17. The material shape model from
which a shape extracted as the cut-off shape is removed is stored in the
material shape model storage unit 9.

[0040] The processed material/interference information display unit 7
generates a shaded image of the material shape model stored in the
material shape model storage unit 9 in accordance with an execution
command from the simulation execution unit 2 and updates a shaded image
on a display by the generated shaded image. Further, the content of the
interference information is displayed on the display when the
interference information is present in the interference information
storage unit 15.

[0041] Components (simulation execution unit, tool shape model generation
unit, etc.) of the simulation device other than the storage units
(memories) is essentially constituted with a software and a hardware
configuration thereof is generally constituted by CPU, memory, or the
like.

[0042] Further, the simulation device may be installed and used in PC,
digital control device, or the like.

[0043] The processing simulation device thus configured is operated in
accordance with the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0045]FIG. 5 is an example of case where the material shape model is set
to a cuboid shape. Here, the material shape definition information
includes a pattern (cuboid), positions (Px, Py, Pz) and dimensions (Lx,
Ly, Lz) of the material shape.

[0046] In step S2, block information configuring the NC program is read
out from the NC program. As the block information, there is information
which commands the tool exchange, the tool movement, etc.

[0047] In step S3, it is checked whether the block information read out
from the NC program is present or not. When the block information is not
present, the whole process is ended. Otherwise, the process proceeds to
step S4.

[0048] In step S4, it is checked whether the block information read out is
directed to command the tool exchange or not. When the block information
is directed to command the tool exchange, the process proceeds to step
S5. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0049] In step S5, a tool shape model is generated in accordance with a
number specified in the block information for the tool exchange.
Specifically, the tool model generation unit 3 generates a tool shape
model from tool shape information stored in a tool shape information
storage unit 13 in accordance with an execution command from the
simulation execution unit 2 and stores the generated tool shape model in
the tool shape model storage unit 14.

[0050] In step S6, it is checked whether the block information read out is
directed to command the movement or not. When the block information is
directed to command the movement, the process proceeds to step S7.
Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S13. Steps 2 to 4 and step 6 are
carried out essentially through the operation of the simulation execution
unit 2.

[0051] In step S7, a tool processing area shape model is generated from
the tool movement command and the tool shape model generated in step S5
and the material shape model is updated into a material shape model after
being processed by removing the generated tool processing area shape
model from the material shape model in accordance with a removal
operation. Specifically, the processed material generation unit 4
generates a tool processing area shape model from the tool movement path
data stored in the tool movement path storage unit 11 and the tool shape
model stored in the tool shape model storage unit 14 in accordance with
an execution command from the simulation execution unit 2, as illustrated
in FIG. 2. Further, the processed material generation unit 4 generates a
material shape model after being processed by removing the generated tool
processing area shape model from the material shape model stored in the
material shape model storage unit 9 in accordance with a removal
operation and stores the generated material shape model after being
processed in the material shape model storage unit 9.

[0052]FIG. 6 illustrates an example of processing in step S7. FIG. 6(a)
illustrates a relationship among the material shape model before being
processed, the tool shape model and the tool movement path. FIG. 6(b)
illustrates a state where the tool processing area shape model is
generated from the tool shape model and the tool movement path. FIG. 6(c)
illustrates the material shape model which is updated by removing the
generated tool processing area shape model in accordance with a removal
operation.

[0053] In step S8, the shape separation detection unit 16 determines
whether the material shape model is separated or not based on a control
flow illustrated in FIG. 7 and stores separation information (separation
detection flag, etc) in the shape separation information storage unit 17
when a condition for determining that the material shape model is
separated is met during the removal operation.

[0054] First, in step 81, surfaces constituting the tool processing area
shape that is transferred to the material shape model are extracted.
Next, in step 82, surfaces constituting the tool processing area shape
that is transferred to the extracted material shape model are grouped
together in a geometrically or topologically continuous unit to form a
group (FA group). Next, in step 83, it is determined whether two or more
FA groups are present or not. When two or more FA groups are not present,
it is determined that the material shape is not separated and thus step
S8 is ended.

[0055] When two or more FA groups are present, in step 84, surfaces
constituting the material shape that is removed from the material shape
model by processing are extracted. Next, in step 85, the extracted
constituting surfaces are grouped together in a geometrically or
topologically continuous unit to form a group (FR group). Next, in step
86, it is determined whether an FR group that is connected to the two or
more FA groups is present or not. When an FR group that is connected to
two or more FA groups is not present, it is determined that the material
shape is not separated and thus step S8 is ended. When an FR group that
is connected to the two or more FA groups is present, it is determined
that the material shape is separated and separation information is stored
in the shape separation information storage unit 17, and step S8 is
ended.

[0056] In step S9, the tool processing area shape model is generated from
the tool movement command and the tool shape model generated in step S5
and an operation for detecting interference between the generated tool
processing area shape model and the material shape model is executed.
When the interference is detected, a position of the block information in
the NC program where interference occurs is stored as interference
information. Specifically, the tool interference detection unit 5
generates a tool processing area shape model from the tool movement path
data stored in the tool movement path storage unit 11 and the tool shape
model stored in the tool shape model storage unit 14 in accordance with
an execution command from the simulation execution unit 2 and detects
interference between the generated tool processing area shape model and
the material shape model stored in the material shape model storage unit
9. The tool interference detection unit 5 stores the interference
information (block information in the NC program with respect to the tool
movement path at the time of interference) in the interference
information storage unit 15 when the interference is detected.

[0057] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of processing in step S9. FIG. 8(a)
illustrates a relationship among the material shape model before being
processed, the tool shape model for detecting interference and the tool
movement path. FIG. 8(b) illustrates a state of the tool processing area
shape model which is generated from the tool shape model and the tool
movement path and the material shape model at the time of interference
detection operation.

[0058] In step S10, when the separation information is present, the
process proceeds to step S11. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step
S13.

[0059] In step S11, when the interference information is not present, the
process proceeds to step S12. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step
S13.

[0060] In step S12, the separated material shape is classified into a
remaining material shape model and a cut-off material shape model.

[0061] Steps 10 to 12 are carried out essentially through the operation of
the cut-off shape extraction/removal unit 6. Specifically, the cut-off
shape extraction/removal unit 6 extracts the separated material shape
model as a cut-off shape, which is located at an opposite side to a
mounting side of a material set in material holding information of the
material holding information storage unit 12, among the material shape
model stored in the material shape model storage unit 9 when separation
information is present in the shape separation information storage unit
17 and interference information is not present in the interference
information storage unit 15. And, the material shape model from which a
shape extracted as the cut-off shape is deleted is stored in the material
shape model storage unit 9.

[0062] Further, when the interference information is present in the
interference information storage unit 15, the processing (cut-off shape
extraction/removal) of step 12 is not executed. This is intended to
prevent a mistake in the program by not executing the cut-off processing
in improper processing.

[0063]FIG. 9 illustrates an example of processing in step S12. FIG. 9(a)
illustrates a material shape model that is separated by processing in a
state where the material is mounted on a first main spindle side. Here,
the material shape model held in a jig such as a chuck, a claw, etc.,
becomes a remaining material shape model and the material shape model
other than the remaining material shape model becomes a cut-off material
shape model, based on the material holding information. The extracted
material shape model to be cut-off is removed from the material shape
model and the material shape model is updated. Further, FIG. 9(b)
illustrates a material shape model that is separated by processing in a
state where the material is mounted on a second main spindle side. Here,
FIG. 9(b) illustrates an example of a case where the material shape model
held in a jig such as a chuck, a claw, etc., becomes a remaining material
shape model and the material shape model other than the remaining
material shape model becomes a cut-off material shape model, based on the
material holding information.

[0064] In step S13, a shaded image of the material shape model is
generated and a shaded image on a display is updated by the generated
shaded image. Further, the content of the interference information is
displayed on the display when the stored interference information is
present.

[0065] After step S13, the process returns to step S2 to read out next
block information in the NC program. And then, the above steps are
repeated until all of the blocks in the NC program are processed.

[0066] Hereinabove, the operation flow in the processing simulation device
according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention has been
described.

[0067] According to the embodiment 1, when the material shape model is
separated by shear-through processing, etc., a shape model of a material
in a state of being suspended in mid-air does not remain. Accordingly,
there is an advantage that detection of unnecessary interference is
prevented.

[0068] Further, when interference occurs at the time of processing to
separate the shape, the cut-off processing is regarded as an improper
processing and is not executed. Accordingly, there is an advantage of
preventing a mistake in the program due to the cut-off processing.

Embodiment 2

[0069] Next, the embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described
by referring to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0070] The embodiment 2 represents an example in which a cut-off shape
model storage unit 18 is added to the embodiment 1, as illustrated in
FIG. 10. In this way, a cut-off shape extracted by the cut-off shape
extraction/removal unit 6 is stored in the cut-off shape model storage
unit 18. After the simulation of the embodiment 1 is executed or when
separation of a material shape is detected and thus the simulation is
temporarily stopped, a list of a shape is displayed on a simulation
display when a cut-off shape model is present in the cut-off shape model
storage unit 18. In this way, a user selects any one in the list to
display a cut-off material shape model on the display.

[0071] According to the embodiment 2, it is possible to confirm a final
shape (processed shape) of a cut-off material on the display during a
processing (FIG. 11) in which the processed material is cut-off and
received by a parts catcher.

Embodiment 3

[0072] In the embodiment 1, the shape separation detection unit 16
determines separation when the group of adjacent surfaces of the material
shape removed from the material shape, which is adjacent to two or more
groups of adjacent surfaces of the tool processing area shape transferred
to the material shape, is present. However, a condition may be used which
determines separation when the processing is a cut-off processing that is
actually carried out when the material shape is separated in the same
direction as a turning axis in a turning processing, as illustrated in
FIG. 12(a), and which does not determine separation when the material
shape is not separated in the same direction as the turning axis and the
processing is not proper as a turning processing, as illustrated in FIGS.
12(b) and (c). In FIG. 12, it is possible to determine whether the
material shape is separated in the same direction as the turning axis or
not by examining the relationship (A<B when the material shape is
separated in the same direction as a turning axis and A>B when the
material shape is separated in a direction other than the direction of a
turning axis) between A dimension and B dimension, for example.

[0073] According to the embodiment 3, since the cut-off processing is
performed only in proper processing and the cut-off processing is not
performed in improper processing where it id determined that processing
is not actually possible, there is an advantage of preventing a mistake
in the program due to the cut-off processing. Further, since the
determination is performed based on only the direction of the turning
axis (one dimension), there is also an advantage of significantly
reducing the amount of calculation.

Embodiment 4

[0074] In the embodiment 1, the shape separation detection unit 16
determines separation when the group of adjacent surfaces of the material
shape removed from the material shape, which is adjacent to two or more
groups of adjacent surfaces of the tool processing area shape transferred
to the material shape, is present. However, a condition may be used which
determines separation in a case where a number of groups having a closed
shape increases as a result of tracing connection relationship of
surfaces constituting the material shape, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

Embodiment 5

[0075] In the embodiment 1, a method may be used in which the cut-off
shape extraction/removal unit 6 extracts the material shape model to be
cut-off from the separated material shape model based on predetermined
information.

[0076] For example, in the processing where the material shape is
separated as illustrated in FIG. 4(a), the material shape on the first
main spindle side may remain and all of the material on an opposite side
thereof may be extracted as a material shape to be cut-off, as
illustrated in FIG. 14(b), in a case where the material shape on the
first main spindle side is set to remain in advance (this information is
set in the material holding information storage unit 12). Further, the
material shape on the second main spindle side may remain and all of the
material on an opposite side thereof may be extracted as a material shape
to be cut-off, as illustrated in FIG. 14(c), in a case where the material
shape on the second main spindle side is set to remain in advance.

Embodiment 6

[0077] In the embodiment 1, regarding the extraction of the material shape
model to be cut-off from the separated material shape model by the
cut-off shape extraction/removal unit 6, the separated material shape
model may be displayed on a display, a user may be caused to select a
material model to be remained using a cursor and a keyboard, and based on
a signal of the selection, materials other than the material to be
remained may be extracted as the material to be cut-off. Of course, the
material to be cut-off may be extracted by causing a user to select the
material to be cut-off.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0078] The processing simulation method, the device for carrying out the
processing simulation method and the program for causing a computer to
execute the processing simulation method according to the present
invention may be used in a processing simulation device for performing
verification of the NC program that is provided in a numerical control
device and further may be suitable to be used as a processing simulation
method for predicting and preventing interference between the processed
material and the tool during the operation of a machine tool, a device
for carrying out the processing simulation method and a program for
causing a computer to execute the processing simulation method.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS

[0079] 1 MATERIAL SHAPE MODEL SETTING UNIT,

[0080] 2 SIMULATION EXECUTION UNIT,

[0081] 3 TOOL SHAPE MODEL GENERATION UNIT,

[0082] 4 PROCESSED MATERIAL GENERATION UNIT,

[0083] 5 TOOL INTERFERENCE DETECTION UNIT,

[0084] 6 CUT-OFF SHAPE EXTRACTION/REMOVAL UNIT,

[0085] 7 PROCESSED MATERIAL/INTERFERENCE INFORMATION DISPLAY UNIT,

[0086] 8 MATERIAL SHAPE DEFINITION INFORMATION STORAGE UNIT,

[0087] 9 MATERIAL SHAPE MODEL STORAGE UNIT,

[0088] 10 NC PROGRAM STORAGE UNIT,

[0089] 11 TOOL MOVEMENT PATH STORAGE UNIT,

[0090] 12 MATERIAL HOLDING INFORMATION STORAGE UNIT,

[0091] 13 TOOL SHAPE INFORMATION STORAGE UNIT,

[0092] 14 TOOL SHAPE MODEL STORAGE UNIT,

[0093] 15 INTERFERENCE INFORMATION STORAGE UNIT,

[0094] 16 SHAPE SEPARATION DETECTION UNIT,

[0095] 17 SHAPE SEPARATION INFORMATION STORAGE UNIT,

[0096] 18 CUT-OFF SHAPE MODEL STORAGE UNIT

Patent applications by Kenji Iriguchi, Tokyo JP

Patent applications by Mahito Matsuura, Tokyo JP

Patent applications by Nobuyuki Takahashi, Tokyo JP

Patent applications by Takashi Kamiya, Tokyo JP

Patent applications by Takashi Yoneda, Tokyo JP

Patent applications by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Patent applications in class SIMULATING NONELECTRICAL DEVICE OR SYSTEM

Patent applications in all subclasses SIMULATING NONELECTRICAL DEVICE OR SYSTEM